Getting Younger and Younger
Max Verstappen’s victory at the 2016 Spanish GP, achieved at just over 18 years old, seemed to have opened a new era in Formula 1, characterized by precocity records set almost exclusively by the Dutch Red Bull driver. The Barcelona record has indeed remained unbeaten, but not long after another driver arrived who, during this season, has repeatedly broken records, many of which were set by the Dutchman himself: Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
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The New Records and the Big Goal
Between 19 and 20 years old, he became the youngest pole sitter in history, the youngest author of a fastest lap (in this case even at 18 years old), the youngest to lead a lap, but above all the youngest to lead the world championship standings. Following the victory achieved in Madrid, the Bolognese increased his gap over Russell to 81 points, with the Mercedes driver increasingly close to what would be a true feat, albeit with nine races to go: becoming the youngest world champion ever.
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Another Driver to Beat
Yet, to go back to this record, one must go even further back in time, and it does not belong to Verstappen. Curiously, the signature is that of another Red Bull driver, who also became a four-time world champion: Sebastian Vettel. In 2010 he achieved it at the age of 23 years, four months, and 11 days, but looking to the future the former German driver would welcome Antonelli as the new record holder of this special ranking: “I would be very happy for him – he commented – he has had an incredible year. There is that old saying that records are made to be broken. He still has many years ahead of him to achieve it. I love this sport, so as a spectator I find it very exciting. I hope others will also come back to assert themselves and fight for the top positions. I am an outside observer and I am happy for him, because I know how much work is behind certain results; whoever wins, will have deserved it.”
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